Wrigley expanding, creating 40-50 jobs

Wrigley Co. is planning its biggest expansion since it came to Chattanooga five years ago, as the confectionery maker brings production of Life Savers mints to the city.

The company will undertake a $28 million expansion at its Jersey Pike plant and create 40 to 50 jobs, facility director Bruce VerBurg said.

"It will double the amount of product that goes out the door," he said.

The expansion for Wrigley, which already employs about 265 full-time and temporary employees in the city, includes a renovation of the site and installing more equipment, Mr. VerBurg said.

"This brings more Life Savers brands here," he said.

The plant already makes Life Savers Gummies.

Work at the plant will include adding a third level to part of the facility and is expected to start soon, Mr. VerBurg said.

Gov. Phil Bredesen said in a statement that Wrigley has shown "strong confidence" in Tennessee's business climate.

In 2006, the company unveiled a $23 million expansion as Wrigley shifted production of Altoids from Wales to Chattanooga.

Salaries for the new jobs will average $14 per hour, Mr. VerBurg said. They'll mostly be production slots, he said, but the company also will hire some mechanical technician and administrative employees.

Citing the new positions, Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey said Wrigley is "coming to the table with a significant investment" and creating more family-wage jobs.

Trevor Hamilton, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce's vice president of economic development, said Wrigley weighed a number of options before committing to the city, calling the effort to attract the project "very competitive."

Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield noted it's the second expansion for Wrigley since it acquired the operation in 2005 from Kraft Foods. The plant was part of Wrigley's $1.46 billion purchase of Kraft's confectionery business.

Mr. VerBurg said Life Savers mints currently are made at a Canadian location by a different company under contract with Wrigley.

He's hopeful that building work will finish by year's end with equipment installation by mid-2011.

Matt Kisber, the state's economic and community development commissioner, said the new product line "joins a long list of well-known food brands calling Tennessee home."

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